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Phones require responsibility, common sense

Phones require common sense, user responsibility

I’m not sure how my mother ever survived my teen age years without a cellphone. I can’t imagine not being able to get in touch with my kids; maybe I have watched too many Lifetime movies, read too many murder mystery books and missing child reports. Perhaps my mother in-law had, too; she bought my youngest a cellphone when he was nine just on the off chance that they would get separated when she was shopping. I am not advocating for a nine year old to have a cellphone; my other children were 13 before they were allowed to have one. My nine-year-old’s phone was replaced many times because he of course lost, broke and or drowned his cellphone more times than I could count.

Just like with everything there are pros and cons to having a cellphone. Personally my friends and I are glad that we didn’t have cell phones or Facebook during our teenage years. We are glad that our every move wasn’t documented and we managed to get into plenty of trouble without them. But what we did have was real communication with each other; when we were together we actually talked to each other. We didn’t have a hand held device constantly keeping tabs on everyone else that wasn’t with us. We weren’t spending our time trolling Facebook or texting endless messages to our friends that weren’t with us.

Last year, we went to Disney and we had a great time. What I observed from other people made me sad. While standing in line to ride various rides the people weren’t interacting with each other; they all had smartphones in hand at “the happiest place on earth.. This varied from grown adults to teenagers. Instead of enjoying their time together they were too busy playing games on their phones, Facebooking, texting or whatever else had their attention at that time. Since then my husband and I have had several date nights when cell phones are only allowed for emergencies. We have had to clarify a few times to the kids that “What is for dinner tonight” does not constitute an emergency.

When my kids started to drive, it was especially important to me that they kept their cell phones with them. But then as parents we have a whole new thing to worry about; texting or checking Facebook while driving. No text or Facebook update is worth losing your life or causing someone else to lose theirs. I’ve asked my friends if they receive a text from me to please not answer when they are driving. I have asked my children to please not text and drive.

As a community, let’s come together and keep those cell phones stashed away until we get to our destination. You never know when a car will suddenly stop in front of you like the tragic accident that recently took the life of a local woman. Life can change in a minute. Do what you can to enjoy every second of it and live in the moment. Try being present in your own life; stop trying to keep tabs on everyone else’s.

Valentine’s Day is almost here! Are you still looking for those last-minute ideas to show your significant other how much you love them? Have no fear, I have some ideas that are budget friendly, but will still help you to make this year memorable!